You should really take care of your home if you don’t want to pay for expensive repairs…
As a homeowner, your house is likely your largest investment. So protecting that investment should be a top priority.
But here’s the thing.
A lot of people ignore the exterior of their home until very obvious problems pop up. By then it’s too late. The damage is done and you are left to deal with massive repair bills.
The good news?
Regular exterior maintenance can prevent the majority of major problems. You can also increase your home value along the way.
What you’re going to discover:
- Why You Need To Start Thinking About Exterior Maintenance Now
- Areas You Absolutely Must Prioritize
- How to Find Quality Local Professionals
- Simple DIY Maintenance Tasks
Why You Need To Start Thinking About Exterior Maintenance Now
Hold on to your hat…
The roofing industry saw costs for repair and replacement climb to almost $31 Billion USD in 2024. That is a 30% increase in spending since 2022.
31 BILLION Dollars.
Roofing is just the beginning though. Every aspect of your home’s exterior is affected by mother nature. Water, wind, sun, temperature fluctuations. They all take their toll on your home.
But unlike rain leaking through your ceiling, most damage is silent. You rarely know something is wrong until it’s too late.
Then you are forced to pay thousands to fix something that could have been prevented with a little maintenance.
Areas You Absolutely Must Prioritize
Don’t worry if you need a roofing company in Albany or anywhere else near you. We’re going to break down all the exterior areas of your home that need regular maintenance, so you know what to talk with a quality roofing services company about when they come to service your investment properly.
Roof
Your roof takes the brunt of the damage from rain, snow, wind and sun. It’s your homes first line of defense.
Things to look for:
- Missing or damaged shingles
- Granules in your gutter
- Sagging or obvious wear
- Water stains on ceilings
A well-built asphalt shingle roof can last 20-50+ years. But that requires some upkeep. Neglected roofs degrade much quicker.
It all comes down to preventative maintenance.
Gutters and Downspouts
Gutters are often overlooked. Don’t make this mistake.
Clogged gutters cause water to pour over the sides during heavy rains. This water lands at your home’s foundation. Leading to expensive water damage problems like basement flooding, foundation cracks and mould issues indoors.
Do your gutters need cleaning? Twice per year. Once in late Spring and once in late Fall is ideal.
If the leaves aren’t bothering you, check for rust, holes and proper alignment. Water should flow unimpeded into downspouts, away from your home.
Siding and Exterior Walls
Siding protects the actual structure of your home from water and pests. While it also adds beauty and curb appeal, don’t be fooled. Siding is a shield.
Keep an eye out for:
- Cracks / holes
- Buckling or warped areas
- Fading or chipped paint
- Soft spots when you apply pressure
Asphalt siding, wood siding, brick, stone. They all have different maintenance requirements. Know what your home has and take care of it.
Windows and Doors
Energy loses through broken seals around windows and doors is like throwing money away. Unless the seals are intact, your AC and heating are escaping outside and outside air is coming in.
Inspect the caulking and weather stripping around all windows and doors. Look for cracks, dry broken pieces. Replace as needed.
Winter is coming. Proper seals before winter will save you money on heating bills and keep your family comfortable.
Foundation
Your homes foundation keeps everything else standing. When you start to see problems here, expect major damage.
Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks in foundation walls. Small cracks are typical and purely cosmetic. Large cracks or stair-stepping in brick are serious concerns.
Bonus points if you ensure ground slopes away from your home’s foundation. Water should never pool against your foundation.
How To Find Quality Local Professionals
Let’s get something out of the way.
There are DIY tasks on this list. But a lot of stuff you should NEVER attempt on your own. Recognizing the difference can save you money and keep you from getting hurt.
You should always hire professionals for:
- Roof repairs/replacements
- Major structural problems
- Exterior electrical (ex. Lighting)
- Foundation issues
When it comes time to find local contractors or a roofing services company, keep these traits in mind:
- Licensed and insured
- Great reputation and reviews
- Written estimate with clear breakdown
- Material and labour warranties
According to a study by Hippo, 83% of homeowners encountered surprise maintenance projects in 2024. Hiring quality professionals can help you prevent problems vs. constantly reacting to them.
Simple DIY Maintenance Tasks
While we’re on the subject. Don’t be afraid of some DIY maintenance. There are plenty of things every homeowner can do:
Monthly
Visually inspect your property. Walk around and look for the previously mentioned problems. Scan your roof with binoculars from ground level. Repeat after heavy storms.
Seasonal
Gutters aren’t too difficult if you don’t mind getting on a ladder. Simply remove debris by hand. Then rinse gutters out with a garden hose.
As Needed
Power washing is always a nice way to deep clean the siding on your home. Just be careful with pressure settings. Some can destroy exterior finishes.
As Needed
Replacing caulk is inexpensive and simple. It can also seal up energy escapes around windows and doors. Grab a tube of exterior caulk for under $20 and get to work.
Fill cracks and holes with silicone caulk using a caulking gun. Smooth out caulk with a caulk tool or your finger (wear a glove).
Yearly
Keep trees, bushes and vegetation trimmed from your home. Branches rubbing on siding cause damage over time. Plants trapping moisture against walls lead to rot.
When To Perform Exterior Maintenance
Consistency is king with exterior home maintenance. Here is a simple schedule you can follow.
Monthly: Visual inspection of entire home
Quarterly: Clean gutters, trim vegetation, inspect seals around doors/windows
Annually: Deep clean siding, Inspect roof and foundation
Every 3-5 years: Hire professional roofing inspector, Paint / touch up as needed.
Put these reminders on your calendar. Seriously. They are important.
Wrap Up
It’s really not that difficult to maintain your homes exterior.
The number one mistake homeowners make is waiting for big problems to arise before taking action. Avoid this at all costs.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Perform a full exterior home inspection this weekend.
- Identify problems you can’t fix on your own.
- Schedule yearly maintenance tasks on your calendar.
- Research local contractors now. Get to know who you will call when you need work done.
Your home is your largest investment. It should be treated as such.
The time and money you spend maintaining your exterior now will pay off in spades down the road. Not to mention keep your loved ones safe in a home that retains it’s value.
Start now. You’ll thank yourself later.
